10 Best Beaches Near Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
― Land at Macedonia Airport and hit the water in minutes. Here are the 10 best beaches near SKG — all within 30 minutes. ―
Macedonia Airport (SKG) sits right on the edge of the Thermaikos Gulf — which means the moment you land, you're already next to some of the most beautiful beaches in northern Greece. No long drives, no transfers. Just pick up your rental car, drop your bags, and you're swimming within 20 minutes.
Here are the 10 best beaches near Thessaloniki Airport, ordered by distance.
1. Neoi Epivates Beach — 8 min from SKG
The closest proper beach to the airport. Neoi Epivates has a long organized waterfront with cafés, beach bars and clean shallow water. It's a favourite among locals, especially in the afternoon when the heat peaks. The promenade runs for almost 2 km, lined with places to eat and drink.
Best for: Quick dip, coffee by the sea, families | Distance: ~6 km from SKG
2. Peraia Beach — 10 min from SKG
Peraia's seafront is one of the most lively in Thermaikos. The beach is clean and accessible, but the real draw is the promenade — lined with café-bars, taverns and ice cream spots that stay busy from morning to midnight in summer. Great for people who want beach and atmosphere.
Best for: Promenade culture, evening dining, couples | Distance: ~8 km from SKG
3. Agia Triada Beach — 12 min from SKG
One of the most organized beaches in the region. Agia Triada has clear blue water, sunbed rentals, and a proper town behind it with restaurants and shops. It gets busy in July and August — arrive before noon for a good spot. The sunsets here looking toward Mount Olympus are exceptional.
Best for: Organized beach day, families, first-timers | Distance: ~10 km from SKG
4. Beach of Agelochori — 15 min from SKG
A quieter, wilder alternative. Agelochori's beach is sandy and natural, with fewer crowds and more space. The area attracts windsurfers and kitesurfers thanks to consistent afternoon winds. If you want to escape the organized beach scene, come here.
Best for: Water sports, relaxation, nature lovers | Distance: ~12 km from SKG
5. Aggelochori Lagoon Shore — 18 min from SKG
Just past the village, the coastal strip near the Aggelochori Lagoon offers a dramatic natural landscape — shallow turquoise water, a protected wetland behind it, and the Angelochori Lighthouse watching over everything. Not a beach in the traditional sense, but one of the most photogenic spots in the entire municipality.
Best for: Photography, nature walks, sunset | Distance: ~15 km from SKG
6. Paralia Epanomi — 20 min from SKG
The main seafront of Epanomi village — a classic Greek beach settlement with taverns right on the water, fresh seafood, and a laidback summer crowd. It's unpretentious and authentic. Come for lunch, stay for the afternoon. Affordable and genuinely local.
Best for: Authentic Greek tavern experience, seafood | Distance: ~18 km from SKG
7. Potamos Beach — 22 min from SKG
One of the most popular beaches in the entire Thermaikos region — and for good reason. Potamos is a long stretch of fine sand with crystal-clear shallow water, multiple beach bars, and a relaxed vibe that works for everyone from families to young groups. In peak summer it fills up fast, but it's big enough that you'll always find a spot.
Best for: Full beach day, beach bars, swimming | Distance: ~20 km from SKG
8. Epanomi Shipwreck (Navagio) — 23 min from SKG
Thermaikos has its own shipwreck beach — and yes, it's as dramatic as it sounds. The rusted hull of a sunken ship sits in shallow turquoise water just offshore, making it one of the most unique swimming spots in northern Greece. Bring a snorkel. The water clarity here is remarkable.
Best for: Snorkelling, photography, adventurers | Distance: ~21 km from SKG
9. Fanari Beach — 25 min from SKG
Wild and mostly unspoiled. Fanari is part of the larger Epanomi coastal area and sits within a Natura 2000 protected zone. No beach bars, no sunbeds — just dunes, shallow warm water and flamingos in the wetlands behind. A completely different kind of beach experience.
Best for: Nature, wild swimming, birdwatching | Distance: ~23 km from SKG
10. The Nose of Epanomi (Miti / Ammoglossa) — 28 min from SKG
The most dramatic beach near SKG. A narrow sandy tongue stretches out into the sea — ammoglossa means "tongue of sand" in Greek — with turquoise water on both sides. It's part of the Fanari protected area, so it stays natural and uncrowded. Worth the extra few minutes.
Best for: Dramatic scenery, photos, wild swimming | Distance: ~26 km from SKG
Getting There
All beaches are reachable by car from SKG. A rental car is strongly recommended — public transport is limited, especially for the Epanomi beaches. The coastal road from Peraia through Agia Triada to Epanomi is scenic and easy to drive.
Pro tip: The beaches get crowded between 11:00–17:00 in July and August. Arrive before 10:00 or after 17:30 for the best experience — the evening light on the Thermaikos Gulf with Mount Olympus in the background is worth the wait.
